Rick Perry Confirmed as Secretary of Energy, Which He Wanted to Abolish

In 2011, former Texas Governor, Rick Perry, stood atop a stage in Iowa and declared “We’ll eliminate agencies that perform redundant functions. Get rid of the Department of Commerce, the Department of Education, the Department of Energy.”

Today, it’s been announced that the Senate has confirmed Perry as Secretary of Energy, by a 62-37 vote.

In January of this year, Perry walked back the statements he made in 2011, saying in a hearing before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, “My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking. In fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy, I regret recommending its elimination.”

One can only speculate on which intentions Perry truly has, as he now enters office.